Youngsters are not a threat: Zaheer

Discarded India pacer Zaheer Khan dismissed suggestions that a battery of young seamers coming up the ranks will impact the role of seniors in the team. The left-arm speedster, who has been out of national duty since the Eden Gardens Test against England in December 2012 insisted the current competition will only help him get better.

"Youngsters doing well is a good sign for Indian cricket. And if the seniors do the same, then you become a champion side. There is no threat. Competition only helps you do your best, Zaheer, who turns 35 on October 7, three days before Australia start their limited overs tour of India, told DNA.

Zaheer and Yuvraj Singh, both stars of India's World Cup triumph in 2011, have been sidelined due to poor form and fitness, but remain determined to make it back to the team even as the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Jaidev Unadkat shored up the bowling department. Ravindra Jadeja has settled nicely as the specialist all-rounder in the side, making the road back to the Indian dressing-room tough for the experienced duo.

However, not the ones to give up, Zaheer with Yuvraj, who made a dramatic comeback last year after recovering from cancer, traveled to France to work with fitness expert Tim Exeter and have returned rejuvenated.

"It was a good conditioning outing. We worked on fitness. I think we went to the right guy. Tim knows what every sportsperson needs in this competitive world. This was the first phase of my conditioning. We will go to South Africa early next month. I plan to work on fielding and bowling there."

Yuvraj had earlier echoed Zaheer's views and emphasised on the need to keep a proper balance between senior players and promising youngsters in the side. Zaheer, seemingly desperate for a comeback, probably for India's tour of South Africa later this year, will face a stiff test once the Ranji season gets underway.

Zaheer is eager to play in the 2015 World Cup but admitted he has to work on his fitness which has let him down. He played the last of his ODIs in October last year and after being dropped from the Test squad against England, Zaheer has been struggling to prove his value. Yuvraj had also stated that his immediate goal was to get back into the Indian team.

"The 2015 World Cup is very far. My immediate goal is to come back in the team. For that I have to play as much cricket as I can before the Challengers," Yuvraj had said.